Snyder proposes funding for Wayne State, community college building projects

LANSING — Three Southeast Michigan colleges and universities are among seven construction projects recommended for state funding in Gov. Rick Snyder's 2018 budget.

Wayne State University in Detroit, Henry Ford College in Dearborn and St. Clair County Community College in Port Huron would receive funding in the state's capital outlay budget, designed to help fund building projects for community colleges, universities and state agencies. If the Legislature approves the projects, they would be funded in the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1.

The projects include:

Creation of a $29.5 million STEM Innovation Learning Center at Wayne State by converting the existing science and engineering library.

A $14.9 million Entrepreneur and Innovation Institute at Henry Ford College by renovating an existing technology building.

A $9.8 million renovation of the health sciences building at St. Clair County Community College.

Michigan Technological University in Houghton and Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw County are the other two universities chosen for funding. Funding also is recommended for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to replace the Caro Center, a state-run psychiatric hospital in Tuscola County, and for the state Secondary Complex in Eaton County to renovate a Secretary of State building.

Snyder's administration estimated the total cost for the seven projects at $260.4 million, with the state's share estimated at $215 million.